U.S. patent application number 10/439220 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-30 for method and apparatus for a food delivery container.
Invention is credited to Goldman, Boris E., Portnoy, Michael E..
Application Number | 20030203087 10/439220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46282344 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030203087 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goldman, Boris E. ; et
al. |
October 30, 2003 |
Method and apparatus for a food delivery container
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a food transportation container comprising
an interior space defined within an arrangement of a top, a bottom,
and a plurality of sides; and a radiant energy barrier disposed
within the interior space of the container, the radiant barrier
further configured to minimize at least one of convection loss and
conduction loss from the interior space; the radiant energy barrier
comprising a first layer at least partially separated from a second
layer by an air space, wherein the first layer, the second layer,
or both layers comprise a material capable of reflecting radiant
energy, and wherein the airspace is in fluid communication with the
interior space of the container through a plurality of perforations
disposed within the first layer, the second layer, or both layers
of the radiant energy barrier.
Inventors: |
Goldman, Boris E.; (Newtown,
CT) ; Portnoy, Michael E.; (Newtown, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James J. Merrick
Cantor Colburn LLP
55 Griffin Road South
Bloomfield
CT
06002
US
|
Family ID: |
46282344 |
Appl. No.: |
10/439220 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10439220 |
May 15, 2003 |
|
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|
09910203 |
Jul 20, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
426/392 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2585/366 20130101;
B65D 81/3858 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/392 |
International
Class: |
C12C 003/04 |
Claims
1. A food transportation container comprising an interior space
defined within an arrangement of a top, a bottom, and a plurality
of sides; and a radiant energy barrier disposed within the interior
space of the container, the radiant energy barrier configured to
minimize at least one of convection loss and conduction loss from
the interior space; the radiant energy barrier comprising a first
layer at least partially separated from a second layer by an air
space, wherein the first layer, the second layer, or both layers
comprise a material capable of reflecting radiant energy, and
wherein the airspace is in fluid communication with the interior
space of the container through a plurality of perforations disposed
within the first layer, the second layer, or both layers of the
radiant energy barrier.
2. The food transportation container of claim 1, wherein the top is
removably attached to the container.
3. The food transportation container of claim 1, wherein the top is
hingedly attached to at least one side of the container, and
wherein the top is releasably interconnected with at least one side
of the container.
4. The food transportation container of claim 1, wherein the second
layer of the radiant energy barrier is attached to the top of the
container.
5. The food transportation container of claim 1, wherein at least
one of the layers comprises at least one of a metallized polymeric
sheet, metallized cardboard, and metallized cloth.
6. The food transportation container of claim 5, wherein the
metallized polymeric sheet is about 2.5 to about 250 micrometers
thick.
7. The food transportation container of claim 5, wherein the
metallized polymeric sheet includes a thermosetting resin, an
elastomeric resin, a thermoplastic resin, or a combination
comprising at least one of the foregoing.
8. The food transportation container of claim 5, wherein the
metallized polymeric sheet includes aluminum, and a polymeric resin
selected from the group consisting of: an alkyd, a diallyl
phthalate, an epoxy, a melamine, a phenolic, a polyester, an
urethane, a rigid silicone, an acrylate, a butyl, a
chlorosulfonated polyethylene, a fluorocarbon, a fluorosilicone, a
polysulfide, a polyurethane, a neoprene, a nitrile, a silicone, a
styrene, a butadiene, an acetate, an acrylic, a cellulosic, a
chlorinated polyether, a fluorocarbon, a nylon, a polycarbonate, a
polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyimide, a polyphenylene oxide,
a polystyrene, a polysulfone, a vinyl, and a combination comprising
at least one of the foregoing polymeric resins.
9. The food transportation container of claim 1, wherein at least
one of the layers further comprises a thermal convection
barrier.
10. The food transportation container of claim 9, wherein the
thermal convection barrier comprises polyethylene, polypropylene,
or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.
11. The food transportation container of claim 1, wherein a
perforation has a major axis having a length of about 1 to about 25
millimeters.
12. The food transportation container of claim 1, wherein at least
one of the layers comprises a laminate.
13. The food transportation container of claim 1, wherein at least
one of the layers comprises a monoaxially oriented polymeric sheet,
a biaxial oriented polymeric sheet, or a combination comprising at
least one of the foregoing.
14. The food transportation container of claim 1, wherein both
layers each have perforations disposed within, and wherein a
perforation disposed within the first layer has a larger defined
surface area than the defined surface area of a perforation
disposed in the second layer.
15. The food transportation container of claim 14, further
comprising an absorbent layer disposed between the first and second
layers, the absorbent layer configured to limit the amount of
condensed fluid entering the interior space.
16. The food transportation container of claim 1, wherein at least
one of the layers comprises a metallized polymeric sheet comprising
aluminum and an oriented polypropylene polymeric sheet having a
thickness of about 1 to about 5 micrometers.
17. A food transportation container comprising a radiant energy
barrier configured and dimensioned to define an interior space
having an opening the radiant energy barrier configured to minimize
at least one of convection loss and conduction loss from the
interior space; the radiant energy barrier comprising a first layer
at least partially separated from a second layer by an air space,
wherein the first layer, the second layer, or both layers comprise
a material capable of reflecting radiant energy, and wherein the
airspace is in fluid communication with the interior space of the
container through a plurality of perforations disposed within the
first layer of the radiant energy barrier.
18. The food transportation container of claim 17, wherein the
container is configured as an enveloping deformable bag.
19. The food transportation container of claim 17, further
comprising a flap portion positioned on the side of the second
layer opposite the interior space; the flap comprising an attaching
means, wherein the flap and attaching means are configured and
dimensioned to be usable to at least partially seal the opening of
the container.
20. The food transportation container of claim 19, wherein the
attaching means is an adhesive, a hook and loop fastener, a chord,
a zipper, or a combination comprising at least one of the
foregoing.
21. The food transportation container of claim 17, further
comprising a drawstring attached to surface of the container,
disposed within a channel located on a surface of the container, or
a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, wherein the
drawstring is usable to at least partially seal the container
opening.
22. The food transportation container of claim 17, wherein at least
one of the layers comprises a metallized polymeric sheet.
23. The food transportation container of claim 22, wherein the
metallized polymeric sheet is about 0.01 to about 20 micrometers
thick.
24. The food transportation container of claim 22, wherein the
metallized polymeric sheet includes a thermosetting resin, an
elastomeric resin, a thermoplastic resin, or a combination
comprising at least one of the foregoing.
25. The food transportation container of claim 22, wherein the
metallized polymeric sheet includes aluminum, and a polymeric resin
selected from the group consisting of: an alkyd, a diallyl
phthalate, an epoxy, a melamine, a phenolic, a polyester, an
urethane, a rigid silicone, an acrylate, a butyl, a
chlorosulfonated polyethylene, a fluorocarbon, a fluorosilicone, a
polysulfide, a polyurethane, a neoprene, a nitrile, a silicone, a
styrene, a butadiene, an acetate, an acrylic, a cellulosic, a
chlorinated polyether, a fluorocarbon, a nylon, a polycarbonate, a
polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyimide, a polyphenylene oxide,
a polystyrene, a polysulfone, a vinyl, and a combination comprising
at least one of the foregoing polymeric resins.
26. The food transportation container of claim 17, wherein at least
one of the layers further comprises a thermal convection
barrier.
27. The food transportation container of claim 26, wherein the
thermal convection barrier comprises polyethylene, polypropylene,
or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.
28. The food transportation container of claim 17, wherein a
perforation has a major axis having a length of about 1 to about 25
millimeters.
29. The food transportation container of claim 17, wherein at least
one of the layers comprises a laminate.
30. The food transportation container of claim 17, wherein at least
one of the layers comprises a monoaxially oriented layer, a biaxial
oriented layer, or a combination comprising at least one of the
foregoing.
31. The food transportation container of claim 17, wherein at least
one of the layers comprises a metallized polymeric sheet comprising
aluminum and an oriented polypropylene polymeric sheet having a
thickness of about 1 to about 5 micrometers.
32. A method for reducing heat transfer in a food item during
transportation of the food item, comprising: inserting a food item
having a temperature different from a temperature of an external
environment into a food transportation container; and transporting
the food item within the container, wherein the container comprises
a first container, a second container or a combination comprising
at least one of the foregoing: the first container comprising an
interior space defined within an arrangement of a top, a bottom,
and a plurality of sides; and an internal radiant energy barrier
disposed within the interior space of the first container, the
internal radiant barrier configured to minimize at least one of
convection loss and conduction loss from the interior space; the
internal radiant energy barrier comprising a first layer at least
partially separated from a second layer by an air space, wherein
the first layer, the second layer, or both layers comprise a
material capable of reflecting radiant energy, and wherein the
airspace between the two layers is in fluid communication with the
interior space of the first container through a plurality of
perforations disposed within the first layer, the second layer, or
both layers of the internal radiant energy barrier; the second
container comprising an external radiant energy barrier configured
and dimensioned to define an second interior space within the
second container and having an opening, the external radiant
barrier configured to minimize at least one of convection loss and
conduction loss from the interior space; the second radiant energy
barrier comprising an inner layer at least partially separated from
an outer layer by an air space, wherein the inner layer, the outer
layer, or both layers comprise a material capable of reflecting
radiant energy, and wherein the airspace between the two layers is
in fluid communication with the interior space of the second
container through a plurality of perforations disposed within the
inner layer of the external radiant energy barrier.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
09/910,203 filed on Jul. 20, 2001, which is herein incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is customary for food products suitable for home delivery
including, for example, pizza, Asian food, and the like
collectively, referred to herein as pizza to be prepared for
take-out by customers, and/or for delivery to the house of the
person who places an order by telephone, facsimile, internet, and
the like. One format for packaging pizza is to place the prepared
thermally hot pizza in a single-walled, paper-board box that folds
up from a flat paper-board blank to form a box enclosed with a
lid.
[0003] While boxes of this type provide an economical food
transportation container, they provide only a moderate degree of
heat retention during delivery. Furthermore, water vapor emitted by
the hot pizza subsequently condenses on the lid of the box, and so
an extended delivery period can result in a pizza that is both cool
and soggy. Large bulky insulated bags can be used by delivery
services, but few consumers utilize the bags for their takeout
food. However, these bags do not effectively stop heat loss caused
by convection and radiation.
[0004] This same situation extends to delivery food intended to be
served at lower than room temperature such as, for example, ice
cream. Heat flow from an external environment into a refrigerated
food results in the melting or otherwise spoiling of the food upon
extended periods of exposure during home delivery.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a food transportation
container, which will maintain the food in a heated state (or a
refrigerated state) during delivery, or simply over an elapsed
period of time. Preferably, the container is economical to use,
disposable, lightweight, and can be effectively used by restaurants
and consumers alike to limit heat loss (or heat gain) due to
radiation, convection, or conduction, including combinations of at
least one of the foregoing.
SUMMARY
[0006] Disclosed herein is a food transportation container
comprising an interior space defined within an arrangement of a
top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides; and a radiant energy
barrier disposed within the interior space of the container; the
radiant energy barrier comprising a first layer at least partially
separated from a second layer by an air space, wherein the first
layer, the second layer, or both layers comprise a material capable
of reflecting radiant energy, and at least one of trapping
convection currents, and minimizing heat conduction. The airspace
is in fluid communication with the interior space of the container
through a plurality of perforations disposed within the first
layer, the second layer, or both layers of the radiant energy
barrier.
[0007] Also disclosed herein is a food transportation container
comprising a radiant energy barrier configured and dimensioned to
define an interior space having an opening; the radiant energy
barrier comprising a first layer at least partially separated from
a second layer by an air space, wherein the first layer, the second
layer, or both layers comprise a material capable of reflecting
radiant energy, and at least one of trapping convection currents
and minimizing heat conduction. The airspace is in fluid
communication with the interior space of the container through a
plurality of perforations disposed within the first layer of the
radiant energy barrier.
[0008] Further disclosed is a method for reducing heat transfer in
a food item during transportation of the food item, comprising:
inserting a food item having a temperature different from a
temperature of an external environment into a food transportation
container; and transporting the food item within the container,
wherein the container comprises a first container, a second
container or a combination comprising at least one of the
foregoing: the first container comprising an interior space defined
within an arrangement of a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides;
and an internal radiant energy barrier disposed within the interior
space of the first container; the internal radiant energy barrier
comprising a first layer at least partially separated from a second
layer by an air space, wherein the first layer, the second layer,
or both layers comprise a material capable of reflecting radiant
energy and at least one of blocking convection and radiation. The
airspace between the two layers is in fluid communication with the
interior space of the first container through a plurality of
perforations disposed within the first layer, the second layer, or
both layers of the internal radiant energy barrier; the second
container comprising an external radiant energy barrier configured
and dimensioned to define an interior space within the second
container and having an opening; the second radiant energy barrier
comprising an inner layer at least partially separated from an
outer layer by an air space, wherein the inner layer, the outer
layer, or both layers comprise a material capable of reflecting
radiant energy and at least one of blocking convection and
radiation. The airspace between the two layers is in fluid
communication with the interior space of the second container
through a plurality of perforations disposed within the inner layer
of the radiant energy barrier. The outer layer optionally includes
a single perforation as well.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a
food container having its lid in the open position to reveal the
heated food product;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the food container of FIG. 1
having a lid in a closed position;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a radiant energy barrier;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a radiant energy
barrier;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an embodiment of a collapsible bag and box;
and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a collapsible bag with a draw string
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Disclosed herein is a food transportation container directed
to packages for take out and/or delivery food, in particular for
the delivery of pizza. The food transportation container having a
radiant energy barrier.
[0016] The embodiment of the food transportation container 20 shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a top portion or lid 22, a bottom portion
24, and a plurality of sides 26 depending from the bottom portion
24, and which define an interior space 28. A pizza 38 is shown
disposed within the interior space 28. In the embodiment shown, the
container 20 is formed from a rigid material, such as, for example,
fiber board (e.g., cardboard).
[0017] The lid 22 shown is hingedly attached to one of the sides 26
and includes integrally formed downwardly depending side walls 30
and a front wall 32. A centrally located tab 34 is disposed on/in
front wall 32 and is used to facilitate opening and closing of the
lid 22. The lid 22 is adapted to be folded downwardly about a score
line 36 to a closed position wherein the side walls 30 and the
front wall 32 of the lid 22 are located within the interior space
28, as depicted in FIG. 2.
[0018] Once the lid 22 is positioned in the closed position with a
hot pizza 38 located in the interior space 28, the air contained in
the interior space 28 becomes heated through convection from pizza
38. To reduce and/or prevent the heat from dissipating out of the
container, a radiant barrier 40 is positioned within the interior
space 28. Preferably, the radiant barrier 40 is attached to at
least a portion of the lid 22 within the interior space 28. Radiant
barrier 40 then reflects the radiating heat back towards the pizza
38, thus preventing and/or minimizing dissipation of the heat from
the food transportation container 20. Radiant barrier is also
preferably configured to minimize or block heat loss due to at
least one of convection and conduction. In this manner, it will be
recognized by one skilled in the pertinent art that the radiant
barrier 40 is optionally disposed on the interior, middle, or the
exterior portions defining container 20, including combinations of
the foregoing.
[0019] Turning now to FIG. 3, radiant barrier 40 comprises a
plurality of layers including a first layer 42, at least partially
separated from a second layer 44 by an air space. At least one of
first layer 42, and/or the second layer 44, is/are capable of
reflecting radiant energy.
[0020] Preferably, radiant barrier 40 is thin, having a total
thickness less than or equal to about 1 cm, preferably less than or
equal to about 0.5 cm, with a thickness less than or equal to about
10 to about 15 mm being most preferred. Also preferably, the
radiant barrier 40 is flexible in that it easily conforms to the
surface to which it is attached.
[0021] The layers of the radiant barrier 40 can each have a
thickness of about 2.5 to about 250 micrometers (about 0.1 to about
10 mils). Within this range, a thickness of less than or equal to
about 100 micrometers can be employed, with less than or equal to
about 50 preferred, and less than or equal to about 25 more
preferred. Also preferred within this range is a thickness of
greater than or equal to about 5, with greater than or equal to
about 10 more preferred, and greater than or equal to about 15
micrometers especially preferred.
[0022] Each layer that forms the radiant barrier may be single
layer, or may a laminate comprising a plurality of different and/or
identical layers. The layers are preferably a polymeric sheet or
metallized cloth, and more preferably a metallized polymeric sheet.
The polymeric sheet may comprise a thermosetting resin, an
elastomeric resin, a thermoplastic resin, or a combination
comprising at least one of the foregoing. It will be understood
that as the optical density of the metallized polymer increases,
the amount of heat reflected therefrom also increases.
[0023] Thermosetting resins include, for example, alkyds, diallyl
phthalates, epoxies, melamines, phenolics, polyesters, urethanes,
rigid silicones, and the like. Elastomeric resins include, for
example, acrylates, butyls, chlorosulfonated polyethylene,
fluorocarbons, fluorosilicones, polysulfides, polyurethanes,
neoprenes, nitriles, silicones, styrene, butadienes, and the like.
Thermoplastic resins include, for example, acetates, acrylics,
cellulosics, chlorinated polyethers, fluorocarbons, nylons
(polyamides), polycarbonates, polyesters, polyethylenes,
polypropylenes, polyimides, polyphenylene oxides, polystyrenes,
polysulfones, vinyls, and the like.
[0024] The layers may also comprise an oriented film and/or layer
such as, for example, a monoaxially oriented layer, a biaxial
oriented layer, or a combination comprising at least one of the
foregoing. Orientation of the layers may be accomplished by heating
the polymer to a temperature at or above its glass-transition
temperature, but below its crystalline melting point and then
stretching the film quickly. On cooling, the molecular alignment
imposed by the stretching competes favorably with crystallization
and the drawn polymer molecules condense into a crystalline network
with crystalline domains aligned in the direction of the drawing
force.
[0025] Preferably the layers comprise a metallized sheet.
Metallized sheets include polymeric materials having a metallic or
metallic like coating, layer or the like, disposed on and/or in the
sheet. Metallized sheets may be produced by vacuum metallization,
film coating or the like, to obtain a metal-like appearance and to
enhance the barrier characteristics of the sheet. The metallized
layer has a thickness of about 0.01 to about 20 micrometers (about
0.0004 to about 0.8 mils). Within this range, a thickness of less
than or equal to about 15 micrometers can be employed, with less
than or equal to about 10 micrometers preferred, and less than or
equal to about 5 micrometers more preferred. Also preferred within
this range is a thickness of greater than or equal to about 0.1
micrometers with greater than or equal to about 0.5 micrometers
more preferred, and greater than or equal to about 1 micrometer
especially preferred.
[0026] A preferred embodiment includes a layer having a metallized
sheet comprising aluminum and oriented polyethylene, polypropylene,
or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, and
having a thickness of about 1 to about 5 micrometers.
[0027] The layers may also include a thermal convection barrier 48
to further reduce the transfer of heat into or out of the container
either as a separate layer 48 and/or as an integral portion of a
layer. Preferably, the thermal convection barrier includes
polyethylene, polypropylene, or a combination comprising at least
one of the foregoing materials of sufficient density and thickness
to reduce the transfer of heat both in and out of the
container.
[0028] At least two of the layers are at least partially separated
from one another by airspace 46. The layers may be attached around
the periphery to form air space 46, and/or may be attached at
various locations throughout the radiant barrier 40. At least one
of the layers includes a plurality of perforations 50 disposed
within it. Accordingly, placement of the radiant barrier 40 within,
a food transportation container 20 places the interior space of the
container 28 in fluid communication with the air space 46.
[0029] The perforations 50 may define any geometric shape
including, for example, a circle, an oval, a diamond, a square, a
rectangle, or a combination comprising at least one of the
foregoing. When more than one layer includes a plurality of
perforations 50, the layer disposed in closest proximity to the
interior space 28 of the container wherein the food whose
temperature is to be maintained is located, preferably has
perforations which define a larger surface area than do the
perforations on the layer a further distance away. Furthermore, the
layers may be treated to impart hydrophilic character, and/or
hydrophobic character in different locations to assist in this
process. In one contemplated embodiment with reference to FIG. 4,
for example, an absorbent layer 47 is optionally disposed within
air space 46. Absorbent layer 47 is configured to limit condensed
liquid from combining with the food which emits the water vapor
that forms the condensed liquid. Absorbent layer 47 may occupy a
portion or all of air space 46. It will also be recognized that
perforations 50 and absorbent layer 47 may be employed in food
container 20 configured as a box or a bag. The perforations 50 each
have a length along a major axis of about 1 to about 25 millimeters
(mm). Within this range, a length of less than or equal to about 20
can be employed, with less than or equal to about 18 preferred, and
less than or equal to about 15 more preferred. Also preferred
within this range is a length of greater than or equal to about 2,
with greater than or equal to about 5 more preferred, and greater
than or equal to about 10 mm especially preferred.
[0030] Not wishing to be bound by theory, the perforations allow
for the water vapor emanating from the warm food (e.g., hot
steaming pizza) to travel into the airspace 46 and then condense
within the air space away from the food (see FIG. 4). Accordingly,
the heat is reflected and water vapor and other gaseous materials
are prevented or at least partially inhibited from recombining with
the food in liquid form. Thus at least partially preventing a
steaming hot pizza from becoming a cold soggy pizza.
[0031] In one embodiment, the radiant barrier is placed in the food
transportation container. In a more preferred embodiment, the food
transportation container comprises a box, wherein the second layer
of the radiant energy barrier is attached to at least the top of
the container, more preferably to the bottom of the container
and/or on the sides of the container. As previously described, the
radiant barrier may also be employed in the interior, middle, and
exterior portions defining food container 20, including
combinations of the forgoing.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for example, the food
transportation container may comprise a box or other structure
having a radiant barrier contained within it. In another
embodiment, the food transportation container comprising the
radiant energy barrier disclosed above, wherein the barrier is
itself configured and dimensioned to define an interior space
having an opening. For example, a metallized cardboard may be
employed as a pizza box or a metallized cloth bag may be employed
to contain the pizza box or other food item therein, for example.
In addition, the container is preferably flexible, thin, and
lightweight enough to be easily folded up when desired. It is also
preferred that it be inexpensive, and recyclable as a unit so that
it is may be readily disposed of without negatively impacting the
environment. Additionally, the container is also contemplated to be
capable of having indicia printed thereon. The indicia may include
advertising materials, trademarks, and the like.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, one such embodiment includes the radiant
energy barrier being configured to form a deformable bag 52 having
an opening on at least one end, and preferably also includes a
means of at least partially sealing the bag once the food is placed
within, wherein sealing includes a reversible type sealing and/or a
more permanent sealing means.
[0034] Sealing of the bag may be accomplished by using a flap
portion 54 positioned on the side of the second layer opposite the
interior space 56. The flap 54 comprising an attaching means 58,
wherein the flap 56 and attaching means 58 are configured and
dimensioned to be usable to at least partially seal the opening of
the container 52. The attaching means 58 can be an adhesive, a hook
and loop fastener (i.e., Velcro available from Velcro USA, Inc.
Manchester N.H.), a chord, a zipper, or a combination comprising at
least one of the foregoing.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, the food transportation container 20 may
also include a drawstring 60 attached to surface of the container
20, and/or disposed within a channel 64 located on a surface of the
container, or a combination comprising at least one of the
foregoing, wherein the drawstring is usable to at least partially
seal the container opening, preferably with a clasping mechanism 62
to hold the opening closed once activated.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the embodiments discussed above
may also be used in tandem, as for example, the container including
a box having a radiant energy barrier 40 located within the
deformable bag 52 comprising a radiant energy barrier 40. The box
may also be modified to contain vents 66 disposed in the box to
provide fluid contact between the box interior space 28 and the
interior space of the bag 56. When the deformable bag is used, the
radiant energy barrier of the box may not be present.
[0037] In use, a food item having a temperature different from a
temperature of an external environment is placed into the food
transportation container 20 and transported to its intended place,
wherein the container 20 can comprise a single container (i.e., a
box or a bag), or a plurality of containers used in combination
(i.e., a box in a bag) as disclosed above.
[0038] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *